The Midwest's premiere winter beer and food event returns for the second year of 'Cool Brews. Hot Eats.' in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This ultimate beer lover and foodie event brings together talented chefs and master brewers to create mouthwatering, beer-infused dishes at more than 50 restaurants.

The Grand Rapids area beer and dining scene has thrived over the past year and together, these two cultures collide to give even the most experienced beer aficionado and most discriminating culinary fans a wonderful experience.

Grand Rapids, MI (PRWEB) January 13, 2014

Beer City USA will once again host foodies and beer lovers from all over Michigan and the country to celebrate Cool Brews. Hot Eats. in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The second annual event runs from February 17 to March 1 at more than 50 restaurants and breweries in the Grand Rapids area.

Cool Brews. Hot Eats. encourages talented local chefs and master brewers to collaborate, creating beer-infused dishes using beer as an ingredient, or meals with complementary beer pairings. The event returns after a successful launch in 2013 with participating businesses reporting a 20-60 percent sales increase during the event.

“While the inaugural event in 2013 was a very successful venture for us and those who participated, we expect an even better outcome in 2014,” says Doug Small, president and CEO of Experience Grand Rapids. “The Grand Rapids area beer scene has thrived over the past year and with that, our ever popular dining scene continues to tempt foodies from throughout the region; together, these two cultures collide to give even the most experienced beer aficionado and most discriminating culinary fans a wonderful experience.”

Cool Brews. Hot Eats. blends craft beer and fantastic food- two things that make Grand Rapids a popular destination. Thousands of visitors are expected to travel to Grand Rapids during the two-week long event and many will celebrate at Beer Week and the sold-out 9th Annual Winter Beer Festival on February 22. Visitors can also plan a self-guided craft beer tour on the Experience GR website’s “Beer Page” to experience why Grand Rapids was named one of the Top 10 Best Vacation Cities for Beer Lovers.

“Grand Rapids continues to evolve as a city that is being recognized as a destination that caters to a wide range of visitor interests,” says Doug Small, president and CEO of Experience Grand Rapids. “Events such as ArtPrize attract nearly half a million visitors annually. In addition, we have a celebrated earth-to-table restaurant scene, an award-winning craft beer culture, vibrant art and cultural communities and easy access to the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan. This gives our destination a vibe that is usually reserved for much larger cities.”

There are many reasons why Grand Rapids is becoming known for craft beer. After a nation-wide vote in May 2012, it became official that Grand Rapids was BeerCity USA 2012. And for a second year, Grand Rapids was named BeerCity USA 2013. Here are a few reasons why our craft beer community is so special:

Founder's Brewing Co. has been named the 3rd best brewery in the world (ratebeer.com), and it serves one of the planet's top 10 beers.

Hopcat has been designated the #1 brewpub in the nation (ratebeer.com) and for the last several years the #3 beer bar on earth.

Brewery Vivant was one of Midwest Living's top 25 new places in 2012.

Grand Rapids was named one of the top 10 Best Vacation Cities for Beer Lovers.

Grand Rapids was just named one of the Top 10 Best Vacation Cities for Beer Lovers - so pack up your thirst and come on over. Grand Rapids is the perfect place for your next beer vacation. With 15 breweries in the Grand Rapids area and another 6 West Michigan breweries - explore our craft beer tour to plan out your route.

Cooking demonstrations, interviews and live shots are available to the media, along with photos and video b-roll. Please call Emily at 616-350-2073 to arrange an interview or to coordinate event coverage.

Cool Brews. Hot Eats. is Grand Rapids first ever winter food and beer event that began in 2013. It was designed after a series of events occurred in Grand Rapids including recognition as “Beery City USA,” Hopcat Restaurant being named “#1 Brew Pub in the US,” Founders Brewing Company being named “Third Best Brewery in the World,” and the growing farm-to-fork culinary scene. The Michigan Society of Association Executives awarded Experience Grand Rapids a Gold Award for Innovative Collaboration for the inaugural Cool Brews. Hot Eats. promotion.